How to root Xiaomi Mi A2 and install TWRP recovery

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Gaining the root access unlocks the door for some serious customization. You get to totally own the devices as you become the superuser of the system when you root the device, which is why many of us just have to root our Android device.

Some of the reasons behind rooting a device are to take proper with-data backups of apps and games which makes life easier when you switch ROMs, but there is much more to it than just data backups. You can even tweak the system settings to your benefit.

Xiaomi has released the MI A2 after the spectacular success of the Mi A1 from last year. Needless to say, those who prefer a simple and pure stock OS over the company’s MIUI OS are preferring the Mi A2 over other other Android devices from Xiaomi and other popular OEMs.

Anyway, we think whatever be the reason behind your decision to buy the Mi A2, you may want to root the device for a number of reasons. You will need to unlock the bootloader of your Mi A2 first for this, followed by installation of TWRP recovery, which facilitates installing root.

So, without further ado, here’s how you can root the Xiaomi Mi A2.

Warning!

Do not try anything given on this page if you do not know completely what you are doing. In case any damage occurs, we won’t be held responsible.

Xiaomi Mi A2 TWRP Recovery

Download the TWRP recovery file for your variant of the Xiaomi Mi A2 from below.

Transfer all the downloaded file (TWRP, Magisk, and DM verity disabler) to your device. Do keep a copy of TWRP IMG file on your PC too. Keep the Mi A2 connected to PC.

Make sure you have enabled USB Debugging on your Mi A2, as explained in the bootloader unlock post above (step 1). You may need to re-do it after unlocking the bootloader.

Now open a command window inside the folder where you have the TWRP file from above. For this, go that folder, and then type cmd in the address bar of that folder’s window, and then hit the enter key. A command window will open up, and its location will be that folder.

Boot your Mi A2 into bootloader/fastboot mode. For this run this command:

adb reboot bootloader

└ If you get a permission dialogue on your device to “Allow USB debugging”, tap OK.

Install TWRP recovery on the B partition of your device by running the command below. To run a command, simply type this in the command window and then hit the enter key.

fastboot flash boot_b TWRP-3.2.3-jasmine-20180804.img

Example command (change the filename as the need be)

Tip: the command ends with the filename of the TWRP file. In case a newer TWRP comes along, be sure to change the filename in the command above.

Set the B partition as the active partition by running the command below.

fastboot set_active b

Careful! Hold the volume up button now, and while holding the Volume up button, run the command below to reboot into TWRP recovery successfully.

fastboot reboot

Reboot into recovery mode. For this, use volume buttons to bring up ‘Recovery mode’ option, and then press the power button to select it and boot into recovery mode and access TWRP.

Enter the password or PIN you are using to let system decrypt in recovery mode and get to TWRP recovery. (It won’t ask if you are not using any PIN or password on the device.)

You will see TWRP recovery now. When asked to ‘Keep System Read only?’, tap on the ‘Keep Read Only’ button to not allow for system modifications.

Time to root the Mi A2! You have to install the root file (Magisk ZIP file) now. Go back to the home screen of TWRP and tap on Install, > then select the ZIP file, Magisk-v16.7.zip, and confirm on the next screen.

In case you don’t want to root the device, be sure to install the DM verity disabler file now (in place of Magisk file) to get the Mi A2 to boot normally (prevent from bootlooping).

Activate the slot A. In TWRP, press the home button, and then Reboot > and activate slot A now.

Reboot now and your Mi A2 will start to Android and will be rooted too. You can verify root access on your Mi A2 using a root checker app.